GH5 Testing the Noise-Floor of the DMW-XLR1 XLR Mic Adapter

T

TheDingo

Veteran
I finally got around to buying the GH5 XLR adapter, and ran it through my normal noise-floor tests with my SD MixPre-D mixer. The results were good, but not noticeably better than using the GH5 3.5mm MIC input jack.

To test for noise-floor I use the 1 kHz test-tone feature of the Sound Devices mixer to set the recording level to -12 dB, then I record 10 seconds of audio with the test-tone, and then I switch off the test-tone and continue to record for another 20 seconds. After the audio has been recorded I bring the video file into MAGIX Vegas Pro and use the RMS audio meter with a range of 0 db to -90 dB to see where the test-tone and "silence" sits on the meter while playing.

Using a passive BeachTek XLR adapter with the GH5 3.5mm MIC jack I see a noise floor of -72 dB RMS when recording LPCM audio, which is pretty good for a lower cost camera. (I've seen noise-floors as low as -88 dB from higher-end Panasonic and Sony ENG cameras)

Using the DMW-XLR1 XLR adapter I see a noise floor of -75 dB RMS when recording under a variety of formats. I tried MP4 recording both h.264 and h.265 CODECs. I tried MOV recording 48 kHz/16-bit, 48 kHz/24-bit, and 96 kHz/24-bit formats. I tried recording XLR channel 1 to both left and right audio channels, and I tried separate inputs for both channels. All of these formats showed the same -75 dB RMS noise-floor, which I think is limited to the noise-floor of the audio circuitry in the GH5 camera.

So in summary: The DMW-XLR1 adapter lowers the audio noise floor of the GH5 by about 3 dB when compared to using the 3.5mm MIC input with a passive BeachTek XLR adapter. So not a big difference when it comes to noise-floor.

That said the XLR1 adapter is an easy way to connect XLR mics to your camera, it provides 48 volt phantom power, it provides a limiter to each channel, it allows you to record one XLR mic to both left and right audio channels, it provides audio gain to each XLR input, and everything runs from the camera battery which makes for a compact audio solution.

...I did not test how clean the XLR1 audio gain was because I really want to compare the XLR1 adapter preamps against the Sound Devices MixPre-D mixer, and for this I like to record a live musician with a good voice so you can clearly hear the difference in audio quality. Hopefully I will get a chance to do this later this summer.
 
I like the XLR adapter too. The one feature I miss from my Sony NX5U is the ability to have channel 1 with auto gain control and manual on channel 2. It is all or nothing on the XLR adapter. I normally record the same mic to both channel 1 and channel 2 and on the Sony I have channel one set for auto and channel 2 manual. That way if I mess up the manual control on channel 2 I have the audio on channel 1 !!! I have of course modified my approach by recording at different levels.
 
I think this unit really transforms the GH5 to a more useful production tool. I have recorded a few projects with the unit and I have to say it is pretty good from an audio quality point of view. Not excellent but then again, not bad at all. In my view, the mid-highs are a bit tinny and pronounced but with 24bit audio and good mics this is easily EQ'd away. The ease of use is excellent as it fits right in my camera backpack and ready to go in a second.
 
Bassman2003 said:
I think this unit really transforms the GH5 to a more useful production tool. I have recorded a few projects with the unit and I have to say it is pretty good from an audio quality point of view. Not excellent but then again, not bad at all. In my view, the mid-highs are a bit tinny and pronounced but with 24bit audio and good mics this is easily EQ'd away. The ease of use is excellent as it fits right in my camera backpack and ready to go in a second.
Click to expand...

+1

I just bought the XLR1. I also own the mixpre 3 and there is a noticeable difference not only in terms of noise floor, but also tone. The Kashmir pres in the mixpre are not totally transparent. They impart a subtle but noticeably pleasing quality to the sound. Although I’ve been using the mixpre3 for interviews only so far, I can imagine using it for music recording.

BUT, aside from locked off situations, the mixpre3 is a pain to deal with. The XLR1 makes the GH5 into an ENG style setup. I can have an xlr plug wireless transmitter hanging off the end of a travel boom pole with shotgun - receiver plugged into the unit, and then either an on camera mic or a wireless lav going into the 2nd channel, all at the same time time with level control.

Also, it was on sale for $299 at bhphoto recently, now back up to $400.
 
The feature that keeps me using my old JuicedLink Riggy Micro is the safety channel. That feature has saved my butt more than once.
The feature that makes me want to switch is not having to manage another battery. That feature would have saved my butt more than once. ;-)

The form factor is a real mixed bag. I like the elegance of how the XLR1 integrates without cables, but it is not very flexible for rigging. The JuicedLink can be mounted anywhere on a rig.
 
joe12south said:
The feature that keeps me using my old JuicedLink Riggy Micro is the safety channel. That feature has saved my butt more than once.
Click to expand...

I haven't tried it yet, but I am pretty sure you can feed a single mic to both left and right channels and set different gain levels for each channel. So you could set the recording level on one channel to -12 dB and the other channel to -18 dB or -24 dB, or whatever suits your shooting style.

joe12south said:
I like the elegance of how the XLR1 integrates without cables, but it is not very flexible for rigging. The JuicedLink can be mounted anywhere on a rig.
Click to expand...

You can purchase an electronic hot-shoe extension (not made by Panasonic, I think it's made by Canon) that allows you to mount the XLR1 where ever the extension cable will reach. I don't mind it being on the hot-shoe, but if I went for a full cine-rig to shoot with I would probably relocate the XLR1 to somewhere more convenient on my rig.
 
joe12south said:
The feature that keeps me using my old JuicedLink Riggy Micro is the safety channel. That feature has saved my butt more than once.
The feature that makes me want to switch is not having to manage another battery. That feature would have saved my butt more than once. ;-)

The form factor is a real mixed bag. I like the elegance of how the XLR1 integrates without cables, but it is not very flexible for rigging. The JuicedLink can be mounted anywhere on a rig.
Click to expand...

https://www.came-tv.com/products/came-tv-oc-e3-cable-adapter
 
Unfortunately you cannot have one mic with two different levels on CH1 and Ch2 or what I would like even auto on Ch1 and manual level on Ch2. The level is set by channel 1 control for both channels.
 
Ron Evans said:
Unfortunately you cannot have one mic with two different levels on CH1 and Ch2 or what I would like even auto on Ch1 and manual level on Ch2. The level is set by channel 1 control for both channels.
Click to expand...
I wonder if this could be added via firmware and controlled via camera menu. That feature would probably convert me.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top